Teaching Pre-University Skills

Better prepare your students for universityBetter prepare your students for university

PreUniversity Skills Course for Teachers

"Very well delivered course, extremely informative, and much of this will be incorporated in our skills development programme with the Lower Sixth Formers." - Tim Borton, Bishop's Stortford College

"This is the best course I have been on in years. I manage UCAS in our school & am head of KS4, many of the issues raised on the course are relevant to pupils throughout the school and I hope to introduce this in our YR12 programme." - Julie Thelwell, Cowbridge Comprehensive School

Dates and Locations

The A-level syllabus often makes it difficult for teachers to find the time and opportunity to develop the complementary range of study skills available through this Pre-University Skills Course. In our experience, students who arrive at university with these additional skills adapt better to university life and perform better too. Following trials with pupils in local schools, we have developed eight lesson plans and extensive course materials for teachers to incorporate into their timetable that meets these skills gaps.

Why should I do this course?

Research has shown that if students are better prepared for higher education, there is a greater chance of their succeeding, and it reduces the risk of their dropping out of courses. They will be better motivated to learn once at university, and pupils should see immediate benefits that are reflected in their A-Level studies. This course will help you to help your pupils revisit lost skills and give them the preparatory experience they need for success at university.

Benefits to pupils

Research has also shown that students are more likely to flourish if they have both an understanding of what is to be expected of them and prior experience of work that is geared towards the demands of undergraduate studies.
By completing Pre-University Skills resources, the associated benefits include:

Pupils will feel more confident and able to embark on the transition from school to university

They will be more open to the new challenges that lie ahead

Increase in their ability to realise their academic potential

Reduces the risk of student's dropping out of their degree course

Increased motivation and confidence as their embark on their undergraduate life

Help pupils with their A-levels

Course objectives

The purpose of this course is to provide you with an understanding of the environment to which pupils must adapt at university, and give an overview of the core skills areas pupils are often missing prior to university.

The aims of the course are to:

assist students in the transition from school to university;

provide skills that will help pupils with A-levels;

make school pupils aware of skills they will need when at university;

introduce school pupils to the literature produced by staff at university and the literature that drives the academic process;

show pupils the processes involved in academic research and the process of disseminating information to different audiences at university level;

make pupils aware of assessment and feedback procedures at university.

The eight lessons are:

Lesson 1 – Working with primary material

Lesson 2 – Scientific scholarship

Lesson 3 – Arts & humanities scholarship

Lesson 4 – Synthesizing information

Lesson 5 – Referencing

Lesson 6 – Note taking & revision skills

Lesson 7 – Structuring writing (Part 1)

Lesson 8 – Structuring writing (Part 2)

Cost

The cost of this course is £200+VAT per person including refreshments and lunch.
There is also the option to purchase additional course materials, with extensive resources to enhance the programme and your lesson plans. These materials can be pre-ordered before the course, or you can purchase them at a later date. Please note 10% administration fee will be charged for cancellations made up to two weeks prior to the start of the course, with cancellations thereafter liable to the full fee.